When one door closes another one opens.
In Stuart Grehan’s case, he hopes closing the door on his professional career will unlock a door that was slammed shut in his face seven years ago.
Grehan was one of Ireland’s top ranked amateurs and looked set to bow out of amateur golf in style at the 2017 Walker Cup, until a freak accident playing casual football in Maynooth University saw him fall over a tennis net that divided the pitch and break his forearm, ruling him of the Walker Cup in Los Angeles.
The Tullamore man called time on his professional career a fortnight ago and is set to regain his amateur status in as soon as six months meaning a shot at redemption at the 2026 Walker Cup in Lahinch is a possibility.
It will be a balancing act for Grehan who will be a working amateur as he balances his golf with a new career as a financial consultant at DFP.
“That is a goal, but I will be a working man. There is ambition to win championships, play for Ireland again and that Walker Cup in Lahinch would be special but it is an itch,” said Grehan who won six times as an amateur in total; the 2012 Irish Youths, 2013 Firestone Inv, 2015 East of Ireland, 2015 South of Ireland, 2017 R&A Scholars, 2017 Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
“I regret going out to play that football match in Maynooth and it would be amazing to come full circle and play a Walker Cup in Ireland. I am striving for it but I am not fixated on it.”
Working amateurs have enjoyed a renaissance on the Irish circuit with Peter O’Keeffe (Golf Strong), Quentin Carew (Garda), Colm Campbell, Caolan Rafferty (both PING staff) and Brian Doran (Pfizer) winning big national titles and representing Ireland in the process.
“It can be done. I am working full time with DFP. There are ambitions to keep playing as an amateur golfer alongside working so hopefully put in some good golf and go from there.”
When Grehan turned professional in 2017 he thought the big date in April would be the Masters in Augusta National. Now set to return to the amateur ranks it is unlikely he will opt to resume his amateur career at the West of Ireland either.
Grehan reapplied for his amateur status through the R&A and was told he will be able to return to amateur golf in April with a handicap of plus six – lower than when he turned pro!
“I got the word that I will have my amateur status back in six months. I thought the process would be a little bit longer but six months and I will be back for April.
“Little bit different but that’s the plan.
“I was looking at the schedule for next year and mapping out where I can and cannot play. I didn’t think it would be happening this quickly but nice to have something to look forward to and plan.
“I didn’t know the process of getting my handicap back. Mark Wehrly has been really good at getting me through the process and it all happened very fast.”
At 31-years-old, it could be argued that Grehan will be returning to the amateur ranks with his best years ahead of him. A former number one ranked Irish amateur who believes he is swinging it better than ever.
“I think so I still go to my usual coaches Gordon and Dave. I feel my swing has been the best it’s been in years. I will still practice very hard. I don’t know when I am going to peak as much.
“I feel like my game is good enough to be a pro to be honest, just too hard to make the financial ends meet.”